Maharashtra
Learning to Keep Shut
Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal was in Igatpuri near Nashik earlier this week for a 10-day Vipassana course, which led to tongues wagging about how he manages to get time for detoxifying himself. A senior BJP leader had an answer—the real reason behind Kejriwal’s visit to Igatpuri was to learn to keep quiet.
Uttar Pradesh
Akhilesh’s Pain
Former CM and SP chief Akhilesh Yadav is pained over the controversy and CBI probe into its financial irregularities. While referring to PM Narendra Modi and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe’s visit to Ahmedabad for laying the foundation of the bullet train project in Sabarmati Stadium Ground, Akhilesh said his Gomti Riverfront project would have looked much more beautiful than Sabarmati. While at it, he claimed credit for the Lucknow Metro service and accused the ruling BJP of relaunching the SP’s projects.
Sakshi Vs Azam Again
The two are at it again. BJP MP from Unna, Sakshi Maharaj, has challenged SP leader and Rampur strongman Azam Khan’s Islamic credentials by demanding he say “Jai Shri Ram” among his community. Azam had said earler he has no problem in taking the name of Ram or Allah in public as he had engrained moral values gifted to him by Indian culture.
West Bengal
BJP Answers Shah’s Call
BJP president Amit Shah’s call to form booth-level committees to strengthen the party in the state has sent party workers in a frenzy before the upcoming 2018 panchayat elections. Meanwhile, West Bengal BJP chief Dilip Ghosh has asked supporters to not let TMC cadres return home in a “stable condition” during the panchayat elections. His rhetoric comes in the wake of Shah’s visit to the state, who rebuked the state leadership for not taking an “aggressive stance” to strengthen the party in the state.
Punjab
Steering Clear of the Baba
With Dera Sacha Sauda chief Baba Ram Rahim in prison for 20 years, officials associated with him have washed their hands off him. While he held sway over Punjab and Haryana, the Baba used his clout to help “needy” officials with their transfers. Ironically, no one can help the Baba in jail.
Sidhu Isn’t Laughing Out Loud
Punjab Local Bodies and Tourism and Culture Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu’s trips to Mumbai have reduced after The Kapil Sharma Show went off the air. Sidhu, who was part of laughing out loud on the show, had also gotten into a controversy for holding an office of profit by receiving payment for being on it.